This book read less like Forman's previous works and more like the New Adult themed reads that sport some darkly dramatic theme used to bring a dysfunThis book read less like Forman's previous works and more like the New Adult themed reads that sport some darkly dramatic theme used to bring a dysfunctional guy and girl together. I didn't dislike it per se, but like many New Adult books, I found IWasHere to be a bit unsettling. Make sure you have chocolate handy!...more

TheKingdomofLittleWounds is not for the faint of heart. The subject matter is beautifully, albeit grotesquely, told and contains many scenes I was shoTheKingdomofLittleWounds is not for the faint of heart. The subject matter is beautifully, albeit grotesquely, told and contains many scenes I was shocked to read, including but not limited to anal rape. But this book is more than a sum of explicit scenes. It is a wonderful character study that sheds light on what life might have been like for those individuals who lived in the mid to late 1500s.

If you a fan of history, enjoy reading historical fiction, and are not repulsed by dark content, you may enjoy reading TheKingdomofLittleWounds as I did....more

It took me 94 agonizing pages to even like this book. I set it aside several times assuming that the remaining pages would be much the same. Tedious aIt took me 94 agonizing pages to even like this book. I set it aside several times assuming that the remaining pages would be much the same. Tedious and without structure or depth. I could not understand how TheWinnersCurse had won over so many of my fellow readers. Readers who I know to be discerning. They do not waste their time with crap. So why then had these very astute readers insisted I read a trilogy? (I'm trying to boycott them). Finally, I succumbed to peer pressure and read on...and around page 102, the tide turned. I became interested in the story. I began to like the characters, understand the universe and without my recognizing, I started ravenously reading each page.

My liking of this story is beyond my understanding. It isn't AMAZING but it is entertaining and not at all as vapid as I initially thought it to be. And heaven help me, I actually want to know what happens....more

If wide spread readership of Grasshopper Jungle reflects that of my reading group, this book will have a polarizing effect. It's frequent talk of hornIf wide spread readership of Grasshopper Jungle reflects that of my reading group, this book will have a polarizing effect. It's frequent talk of horniness, sperm, and repetitive nature annoyed a lot of folks. But I for one found this book to be extremely amusing and oddly thought provoking.

*Kudos to Andrew Smith for allowing his narrator to be horrendously flawed. So many YA books shy away from writing their characters in a way that may make them unlikeable, but not Andrew Smith. The end result was a relatable character, even to those who were never "horny" 16 year old boys....more

Fiona Wood, and her Australian YA counterparts, are an integral part of why I continue to read YA. Many YA characters are so perfectly constructed thaFiona Wood, and her Australian YA counterparts, are an integral part of why I continue to read YA. Many YA characters are so perfectly constructed that they become unbelievable. While this can be amusing and even entertaining, I would hardly consider it relatable. Not so with Wildlife.

Don’t be fooled by the cover, this isn’t a cutesy love story. It’s a story about navigating life’s uncharted territories including disingenuous friends, misleading boys, and being true to who you are regardless of how popular or unpopular that might make you, all of which is fleshed out amidst outdoor camp setting.

I was impressed with so many aspects of Wildlife from the way characters were described, the issues they grappled with, and especially how the topic of sex was addressed, unflinchingly frank and honest.

A great read for anyone wishing for a witty, humorous, and humbling look at those final teen years....more

At the start of Unbroken , I was feeling as though “Unbelieveable” might have been a more apt title. Much of Louis’s mischief as a child was beyond beAt the start of Unbroken , I was feeling as though “Unbelieveable” might have been a more apt title. Much of Louis’s mischief as a child was beyond belief. There were too many death inducing incidents that Louis cleared un-scathed, and too many alleged run ins with the law to have not wound up in the system. He even mentions running with wild horses and meeting Hitler! Though this feeling of disbelief slightly abated as I continued to read, I still feel as though key events departed from the realm of non-fiction and transgressed into the land of embellished fiction. Perhaps this is to be expected when the story is relayed some fifty years after the original events occurred. Memories fade, and morph with time. Similarly, those moments that are confusing in our present are most certainly subject to our interpretation upon reflection. For instance, Louis recounts the events of his downed plane and states he must have been on the ocean floor, as he struggled to detangle himself from the planes wiring. He ultimately blacks out, only to later awaken, free of the wires, and is able to swim to the surface. This is clearly beyond belief. Had he have hit the ocean floor of the Pacific, his lungs would have literally exploded. Best case scenario, he would have needed to be rushed to a hyperbaric chamber in order to save his life. It was more likely he was found panicking by a fellow crew member as the plane had begun to sink, and was subsequently knocked out in order for his fellow crew member to cut him free of the wires.

Whether you believe each of the moments of this book occurred exactly as described or not, I couldn’t deny it was an incredibly readable tale that spoke of un-imaginable cruelty while also demonstrating extreme heroism, friendship, and inspiring hope....more

TheInfiniteSea clearly suffers from middle book syndrome. I struggled thru it, and cast it aside several times. I both loved and hated the multiple poTheInfiniteSea clearly suffers from middle book syndrome. I struggled thru it, and cast it aside several times. I both loved and hated the multiple points of view. However, I don't much care for the character of Ringer, and given that her POV is the most substantial, I found myself skimming thru a majority of the book. Those who enjoyed her character are bound to have an entirely different reading experience.

For those of you who haven't yet read this sequel, I feel confident in saying you could easily skip it as everything and nothing transpires over the course of the book. You could wiki the spoilers and be fully prepared to jump into book 3. What should have been a major reveal was mostly underwhelming, which is a shame, because the concept is fabulous and right in my reading wheelhouse. Ultimately, I fear this trilogy will not end well. And by well, I mean in a manner that will justify the reading of the series. Figners crossed I am proven wrong....more

These books are the written form of crack. They offer no mental value, but provide a fix for whatever lapse in judgment prompts us to seek out such thThese books are the written form of crack. They offer no mental value, but provide a fix for whatever lapse in judgment prompts us to seek out such things - I blame my ovaries. Sometimes, a lady just needs to swoon by reading about fictional highlanders who worship the woman who loves him in a way I feel no flesh and blood man does/would. The story isn't half bad either. In fact, I much preferred this installment to the Highlander series to those that come after (keep in mind, you do not have to read them in order to appreciate or understand them). ...more

You Had Me At Hello accomplishes what the most inspiring and endearing Rom Com’s aspire to: relatability, charm and contemporary timelessness.

The booYou Had Me At Hello accomplishes what the most inspiring and endearing Rom Com’s aspire to: relatability, charm and contemporary timelessness.

The book begins in present day. Rachel, our narrator, is an early 30 something staffer on the cusp of ending her 13 year long relationship with her fiancé Rhys. Thru Rachel, we are introduced to Ben, our prospective love interest and protagonist. Ben is Rachel’s long lost best friend from uni days with whom she hasn’t spoken for the past decade. When Rachel’s best friend Caroline mentions seeing Ben at a local library, Rachel sets out to the local to encourage a “chance” encounter. What follows is a story, told via a present day setting, and thru flashbacks, about what comes to pass when you encounter a lost love after 10 years and a mixed bag of life decisions.

Equal parts humorous, nostalgic, and romantic, You Had Me At Hello is the kind of treasure I love to find. The dialog was witty and delightfully frank. If you somehow manage to read this little gem without being charmed by these characters, there may be something wrong with you. A certain re-read if ever there was one....more

Oh to be young and feel the thrill of experiencing love, lust and miscommunication for the first time. Bitterness hasn't taken hold, nor have the lessOh to be young and feel the thrill of experiencing love, lust and miscommunication for the first time. Bitterness hasn't taken hold, nor have the lessons learned from past mistakes as those mistakes have yet to happen. It's an awkward, exciting and vulnerable emotional/mental state...and it has the tendency to make us more than a little stupid. I'd like to say it gets better with age, but adulthood does not remedy the idiocy of love's keen sting.

The Infinite Moment of Us does a great job of displaying all the mental trials and emotional triumphs that coincide with falling in love for the first time, or even with someone new. It’s a quick read that personifies what it means to be young, in love, and full of hope.

I give extra points to Myracle for refusing to fade her scenes to black. The sex scenes are tastefully descriptive....more

Apparently I have a reading sickness that can only be assuaged by reading a series of books about time traveling highlanders. They truly are ridiculouApparently I have a reading sickness that can only be assuaged by reading a series of books about time traveling highlanders. They truly are ridiculous... And a great deal of fun to read with a good dose of steam thrown in for good measure. Better yet, you don't have to read them in any sort of order to make sense of them, so feel free to read which ever ones are available at the local library. Having said that, this installment marks the end of the series and having read Moning's fever series, you can certainly see how she attempted to set the stage for The inevitable crossover.

Thus far, dark highlander is still reigning supreme, but he could be dethroned by Daegus. Stay tuned to see if my leather loving highlander loses his crown. ...more